Skylanders: Giants vs Giants: Citizen Kabuto
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Skylanders: Giants is the 2012 direct sequel to Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, blending physical toy collectibles with video game action. Players place real-world action figures onto the Portal of Power to bring them to life in the fantasy adventure. Featuring brand new characters known as Giants who are twice the physical size of regular Skylanders, the game introduces expanded gameplay mechanics, puzzles, and enemies. Developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, it continues the beloved action RPG and hack-and-slash franchise experience.
Giants: Citizen Kabuto is a third-person shooter with elements of real-time strategy and role-playing games. The game features an open world to explore, a variety of vehicles and weapons, and a unique blend of action, adventure, and comedy.
- Engaging toy-to-life integration that kids love
- Fun cooperative local multiplayer gameplay
- Introduces larger and more powerful Giant characters
- Expands upon the successful formula of the first game
- Unique blend of action, adventure, and comedy
- Vast open world to explore
- Variety of vehicles and weapons
- Rich sci-fi universe with immersive sound design
- Requires purchasing additional physical figures to experience all content
- Can become an expensive hobby due to toy purchases
- Core gameplay loop feels similar to the predecessor
- Steep learning curve
- Some players may find the gameplay mechanics confusing
- Limited character customization options
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The portal of power returns as larger than life heroes join the battle to save Skylands.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGiants: Citizen Kabuto offers a single-purchase, open‑world sci‑fi shooter with a steep learning curve, while Skylanders: Giants adds toy‑to‑life collectibility and family‑friendly co‑op at a higher upfront cost.
Key differences
- •Giants: Citizen Kabuto is a pure video‑game experience; Skylanders: Giants requires physical toy figures for full content.
- •Skylanders: Giants targets families with cooperative local play; Giants: Citizen Kabuto targets gamers with single‑player narrative and competitive multiplayer.
- •Pricing model differs: Giants: Citizen Kabuto is a one‑time game purchase; Skylanders: Giants adds ongoing cost for additional toys.
- •Genre focus: Giants blends shooter/RTS/RPG in an open world; Skylands focuses on hack‑and‑slash RPG with fantasy settings.
- •Release era and tech: Giants (2000) has older graphics; Skylanders (2012) benefits from newer engine and sound design.
Gameplay & fun factor
Giants offers varied combat (vehicles, weapons) and a unique sci‑fi comedy narrative, unlike Skylands' hack‑and‑slash focus.
Platform availability
Both are single‑purchase PC/console titles; no platform data provided to differentiate.
Price & value
Giants is a one‑time purchase; Skylands costs $59.99 plus additional toys for full content.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Skylands explicitly supports drop‑in local co‑op; Giants has multiplayer but no co‑op emphasis.
Content & replayability
Skylands' toy‑to‑life progression and collectible figures extend replayability beyond the base game.
Difficulty & accessibility
Skylands rated ESRB E10+ and PEGI 7, making it more accessible; Giants rated M with a steep learning curve.
Graphics & performance
Skylands released in 2012, likely offering newer graphics than Giants' 2000 engine.
Choose Skylanders: Giants if…
Families or kids who enjoy collectible toys, local co‑op, and a fantasy hack‑and‑slash experience.
Choose Giants: Citizen Kabuto if…
Gamers seeking a deep, single‑player sci‑fi shooter with vehicle combat and no extra purchases.
Common questions
Do I need to buy extra toys for Skylanders: Giants?
Yes, additional physical figures are required to access all characters and content.
Is Giants: Citizen Kabuto suitable for younger players?
It is rated ESRB M, indicating mature content and a steep learning curve, so not ideal for younger audiences.
Which game offers more multiplayer options?
Skylanders: Giants provides drop‑in local co‑op and multiplayer modes, whereas Giants: Citizen Kabuto offers competitive multiplayer only.